NEW DELHI: A wave of distress and uncertainty swept through the Attari-Wagah border as several Pakistani nationals, many of them visiting family or receiving medical treatment, began returning home after India issued a 48-hour deadline for their departure.
The stringent move came in the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists.
The Centre, citing evidence of cross-border involvement, announced a series of retaliatory measures, including the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, expulsion of Pakistani military attachés, and immediate closure of the Attari land-transit post.
In addition, foreign secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Pakistani nationals would no longer be allowed entry under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Those currently in India under SVES have been given 48 hours to exit. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that all valid visas issued to Pakistani citizens would stand revoked effective April 27, while medical visas would be valid only until April 29.
Amid the policy shift, Pakistani visitors—many of whom were in India for personal, humanitarian, or family reasons—expressed anguish over what they called “government apathy.”
Among them was Afsheen Jahangir, who spoke emotionally while preparing to cross over back into Pakistan.
“We are told to leave within 48 hours. How is it possible? Attari is 900km from Jodhpur. We were not getting buses. My husband had to bear a loss of RS 1 lakh for the tickets. We have to reach my husband and children today, anyhow. My passport is Indian but I am half-Pakistani.”
Afsheen went on to express both guilt and helplessness over the violence in Kashmir.
“I feel guilty for the terror attack, but what is the fault of the common people in it? I don’t know if they did it for Islam, they are not my cousins. For me, both India and Pakistan are important. God will punish them for whatever they did.”
Calling for more compassion in such crises, she added:
“Some option should remain open for women who are married across the borders. I request that both governments not harass the common people.”
The decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan and implement travel restrictions was taken at a cabinet committee on security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response to mounting outrage and security concerns following the Pahalgam massacre.
(With agency inputs)
